Warwick town centre getting ready to reopen

As the lockdown continues to ease across the UK, Warwick’s non-essential retailers are preparing to open their doors to customers from Monday June 15.

Local business owners have risen to the challenge and are implementing social distancing changes to enable safe shopping.

During the past three months of lockdown, many of Warwick’s essential retailers have diversified their businesses to stock a wider range and others have expanded their the scale of delivery and takeaway services on items from food and drink to homewares and plants.

In response to the re-opening of shops, Cllr Richard Edgington, chairman of Warwick Town Council’s economic and tourism committee, said: “As lockdown begins to ease, I hope that we can all think locally before we buy and continue to support Warwick’s businesses and business owners who have worked so hard for us all during this difficult time.

"During lockdown, it has been fantastic to see a constant stream of recommendations on Facebook from residents who are supporting our local shops and takeaway services.

"It has also been great to say hello from the window to those who have worked so hard to deliver all of these products to our doors.

“Warwick enjoys a very generous independent business community who sponsor a host of local charities and causes, including the hanging baskets and plants which are now in place and are looking fantastic.

"Their continued contributions to the town are invaluable and I would urge everyone to support local businesses in return for their efforts and hard work.

"In doing so allows Warwick to continue to be a vibrant and diverse town for us all to enjoy, whilst supporting our local economy and local jobs.”

The Warwick in Bloom team have also been working to install 200 hanging baskets and planters across the town centre in preparation of shops reopening.

Following the lifting of government restrictions and to support the gradual reopening of town centre businesses, Warwick District Council will continue to offer free parking until August.

In line with government guidance and to assist key workers during the pandemic there has been no charge to park in the district’s 27 council operated car parks.

Now with the announcement that non-essential shops and businesses will be opening from 15 June, Councillors have made the decision not to reintroduce tariffs until August 1 to encourage local people to come back to the high streets after many weeks of closure.

Sue Butcher, chair of the Warwick Chamber of Trade, said: “Warwick’s many small independent shops and businesses have been hit badly by the lockdown, the extension of free parking is in our off-street carparks is therefore very much welcomed.

"I hope that this will encourage people to come back into our town again and once again enjoy our wonderful mix of outlets."

The council is working alongside colleagues from Warwickshire County Council on temporary road closures and traffic restrictions in Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth, which will allow for social distancing measures to be put in place outside shops and to accommodate those coming into the town centres by bicycle or on foot.

While parking is free, maximum stay restrictions will still apply and the council’s Rangers will continue to patrol the car parks to ensure that motorists are parking sensibly within the allocated spaces.